has anyone here been diagnosed with APD?

Hi everyone. I'm curious to know if anyone here has been diagnosed with antisocial personality disorder and if so..did you agree with the diagnosis?

I haven't been diagnosed, however, I had/have reason to wonder. Whether or not I agree, is contingent on whether or not it requires that you lack deep emotion, or are unable to empathise with anyone.

Which brings me to a question for you. You've indicated that you enjoy you lifestyle, and your posessions. Is there anyone you could imagine yourself giving these things up for? Honestly, do you care about, perhaps even love, for real, anyone? Is there anyone that you know, who you would feel guilty if you hurt?

I probably have it, if I dont, I want it. If the skyfalls down on us tomorrow and there anarchy on Earth, the only people that will survive and cope in there new surrounding will be Sociopaths.

Dead wrote:I probably have it, if I dont, I want it. If the skyfalls down on us tomorrow and there anarchy on Earth, the only people that will survive and cope in there new surrounding will be Sociopaths.

How do you figure? Are you living in a hole? Anarchy is a proven failure, why? The ones looking out only for themselves would be the first to be eliminated. Look for the huddled masses to rule. The ones who bond for the cause. You are assuming that 'lack of emotion' makes one strong, when 'lacking' is a sign of weakness.

I agree with Skyway. It is a big lack. A lack of development of the frontal lobes of the brain. A missing piece. Perhaps they may survive but you see others will not only survive but thrive. APD's never seem to thrive.

Think of it my ex APD is now almost 34 with no family. No wife no kids. The family is the main structure of society because it leads to reproduction without which we would not be here and if you get a whole lot of 'affected ' people roaming about they will undoubtedly lead to the extinction of the human race because they will be unable to sufficiently provide for their offspring because they just 'wouldn't care!'

Thriver

Maybe he is smarter than most. There are more than enough perpetuating in the world as is

thriver wrote: The family is the main structure of society because it leads to reproduction
Thriver

The family is the main structure of modern American society. What you also describe as family is the atomic family, and not the only family structure out there. I tend to prefer tribal, and extended family structures, which are more the norm for the culture I belong to. They allow for procreation without the implicit requirement that every entity pair off into heterosexual units. You can find a role in the group you are more suited to. Not everyone makes a great parent, even if they do care. They may, however, be more suited to protecting, or aquiring resources for the group.

i have. it's really not fun at all. it's a really horrible thing to be.

Well Fomori I am not actually an american and have never even been to the USA. I am a New Zealander born and bred. In New Zealand there is a big emphasis on the family. Although people do pair off, they are free to leave if it does not work out and then be single or pair off again with someone else. This of course is not good for the kids involved but is becoming common practice.

We have a high emphasis on extended family. We are a nation of mixed races, particularly pacific islanders and Maori so 'tribal' is well known to me also. In some cultures here it is normal to share the raising of children between extended families and tribes.

What I am saying is the it seems to me that APD people think they are all OK and normal and no different in thinking and acting than the majority. My ex would have had a child with me years ago if he had had the chance. And WHAT would he of put that child through since? From where I am sitting it would of been no good environment to raise a child. I mean come on - one of the characteristics is a callous disregard for others! I have seen how he can be with my kids and I am sure all APD's have this to some degree. Yeah he can be great with all his sisters kids, his family have never seen any of this behaviour, but I sure have and any child of an APD would to.

Maybe they would have something to offer in the sense that you are talking of but I would find it hard to believe that even in that setting they have not or are not having some detrimental effect on others. For example - letting someone else down, not being responsible, showing poor judgement, lying, seeming self-absorbed.....

Not saying they have nothing to offer or no good comes from them but there seems to be a flow out of hurt and despair around them.

thriver wrote:We have a high emphasis on extended family. We are a nation of mixed races, particularly pacific islanders and Maori so 'tribal' is well known to me also. In some cultures here it is normal to share the raising of children between extended families and tribes.

I stand corrected. Americentrism at it's best.

It seemed as though you were referring to the atomic family in the description, which I do have a problem with as the only accepted social unit. The best thing that happened to my parents with regard to their marriage, was getting divorced, for example. In America, at least, there is an insane amount of pressure towards that specific model. Mother, father, married, with children. Anything different is given a hard time in the system.

Imagine an unmarried uncle who is the primary and full-time caretaker of the children in the household, and so, is unemployed. Unless he is disabled, he cannot even be added to either parents medical insurance policies. The same would hold true for a grandparent in that position. This is illogical. Family values pundits cry out for someone to be at home with the kids, but are unwilling to create a system which allows it to be financially feasible. I come from an background where such an arrangement is not unheard of, and take a offense at this lack of inclusion and consideration of other cultures in the development of this decision.

I am interested in hearing if things are better in New Zealand.